Football question. QB in motion....

[Dr. H Lecter]

Last night in the KC Chiefs game I believe it was Trent Green who came up to his center, tapped him on the butt and then went into motion prior to the snap going to the tail back. They threw the flag and called them for an illegal shift or illegal motion.

My question is, the QB can go into motion right? Does he have to tuck under the center, not reach under, whats the rule?

[lighthouse]

Doc.

I just talked to an NFL official and this is what he told me about the situation.

He didn't know about this particular play so he had to speculate. If the QB moved to the center and in tapping him on the butt failed to come to a complete stop, he was illegally in motion. All backs have to come to a complete stop for 1 second. If he did stop for at least 1 second, and they called a motion penalty, someone else was in motion at the same time.

This is interesting, but if the QB moves under center, and then goes in motion, it's legal, but he is an ineligible receiver. Probably not a very popular play.

[Dr. H Lecter]

Thanks!!! I'd say that he didn't get set for the full second. He ran up to the center and tapped him on the hip and then cut left. I'd say that he needed to pause a bit longer before he went in motion. It fooled the guys who were on the broadcast because they were not sure why the flag was thrown. They commented on the fact that nobody on the defense went to follow him....he was obviously wide open for a pass.

Interesting that if you go under center and then into motion you are no longer an eligible reciever. Outside of simply being a decoy I doubt you'd want to use the QB as a blocker to crack back on a corner back or linebacker.